Clovis West High mourns death of former player who died in Fresno County accident
The Clovis West High community is mourning the death of Tyson Hilliard, who died in an accident in Fresno County on Sunday.
The 19-year-old was remembered as “tough, smart and loyal” who was “a great person.”
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Golden Eagle Tyson Hilliard. Tyson was tough, smart and loyal; a great teammate and even better person. His smile and vibrant personality were equally infectious, and he will be missed by so many. Our hearts go out to his family,” Clovis West Football wrote on Twitter.
Hilliard’s uncle, Josh Price, echoed those sentiments and praised his nephew’s work ethic.
“Always ready for the next task,” Price said. “He was a hard worker. He was always happy go-lucky and growing into a very upstanding young man who was excited about life. I’m at a loss of words.”
A vigil was held Tuesday to remember Hilliard. At least 200 mourners were at the site.
“He was a great kid,” Hillard’s father, Tyrod said. “He had a whole future ahead of him. So many people turned out for him. It shows how much he was loved.”
Said Purpose Field executive director Elon Paige: “Tyson was such a good kid. Everybody liked Tyson. He was starting his life and doing things and was working his way up in the world. Just tragic.”
According to California Highway Patrol spokesman Mike Salas, officers responded to a traffic collision at 8:15 a.m. Sunday at North Avenue near Temperance Avenue.
Salas said Hilliard was driving a black Toyota 4Runner west on North when the vehicle drifted off the paved roadway.
Hilliard tried to get the vehicle back on the roadway, but over-corrected and the vehicle slid sideways to the south across both lanes of traffic and struck a wooden power pole and overturned.
The power pole was sheared and the power lines fell to the ground.
Salas said Hilliard exited his vehicle and touched a live power line that was hanging near it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified Hilliard on Monday.
Clovis West athletic director Matt Loggins said Hilliard played football and wrestled and graduated in 2020.
Friends of Hilliard posted remembrances on Twitter.
In a tweet Monday, Paige remembered Hilliard.
“With a heavy heart we are broken at the news of the tragic passing of one of our mentees and FieldUP alums Tyson Hilliard. Tyson was such a live personality who made an impression on everyone he met. His smile was contagious and his heart was full of joy.”
A GoFundMe account was established and many have donated.
“I got a message over the GoFundMe from a kid who is a senior now at Clovis West,” Price said. “Didn’t personally know Tyson, but every time he would see Tyson, he was laughing and made people around him laugh and how he was a positive influence in their life, that kind of broke me down. I felt Tyson took a lot of my lessons to heart and tried to live them.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2021 at 5:11 PM.
